"I am so pleased, Mr. Morton!" she went on. "You are quite sure there was no expense." "Nothing to speak of. I'm glad you like it," murmured the young man. "Indeed I do!" She stretched the band of white leather round her waist and Bob noticed how easily its clasp met. "There!" exclaimed she, raising her hand in mocking imitation of a military salute, "isn't that fine?" Willie laughed with involuntary admiration at the gesture, and as for Robert Morton he could have gone down on his knees before her and kissed her diminutive white shoe. The girl did not prolong the tableau. All too soon she relaxed from rigidity into gaiety and came flitting to the work bench. "What are you doing, Willie dear?" she asked. "You know you never have secrets from me. What is this marvellous thing you are busy with?" Before answering, Willie glanced mysteriously about. "It's because I know you can keep secrets that I ain't afraid to trust you with 'em," said he. "Bob an' I are workin' on the quiet at an idee I was kitched with a day or two ago. It's a bigger scheme than most of the ones I've tackled, an' it may not turn out to be anything at all; still, Bob has studied boats an' knows a heap about 'em, an' he believes somethin' can be made of it. But 'til our fish is hooked we ain't shoutin' that we've caught one. If the contrivance works," went on the little old man eagerly, "it will be a bonanza for Zenas Henry. It's--" he lowered his voice almost to a whisper, "it's an idee to keep motor-boats from gettin' snagged." The words were scarcely out of his mouth before his listeners saw him start and look apprehensively toward the door. They were no longer alone. On the threshold of the workshop stood Janoah Eldridge. CHAPTER IX A WIDENING OF THE BREACH "So," piped Janoah, "that's what you're doin', is it, Willie Spence? Well, you needn't 'a' been so all-fired still about it. I guessed as much all the time." There was an acid flavor in the words. "Yes, I knowed it from the beginnin' well as if I'd been here, even if you did shut me out an' take this city feller in to help you in place of me. Mebbe he has studied 'bout boats; but how do you know what he's up to? How do you know, anyhow, who he is or where he came from? He says, of course, that he's Tiny's nephew, an' he may be, fur all I can tell; but what proof have you he ain't somebody else who's come here to steal your ideas an' get money for 'em?" There was a moment of stunned silence, as the barbs from his tongue pierced the stillness. Then Delight stepped in front of the interloper. "How dare you, Janoah Eldridge!" she cried. "How dare you insult Willie's friend and--and--mine! You've no right to speak so about Mr. Morton." Before her indignation Janoah quailed. In all his life he had never before seen Delight Hathaway angry, and something in her flashing eyes and flaming cheeks startled him.